Last week I raised a number of important State and local matters in Parliament:
I drew attention to current inefficiencies in the hospital system, which requires considerable streamlining. This is urgently needed in order to meet the growing demand for surgery considered ‘elective’. I expressed concerns regarding the future of tertiary education and whether the Future SACE requirements will adequately prepare school leavers for entering university.  I reminded the Parliament of the need to retain Glenthorne Farm as open space, in accordance with the wishes of local residents. I will continue to press the current State Government to keep Glenthorne Farm free from housing.  Oaklands Station continues to be an issue for me, so I confronted the Government with the inadequate state of the new station. Traffic flow near the intersection of Diagonal Road and Morphett Road just gets worse and the station itself is lacking in a number of functional facilities. 

To view the complete transcript see: Kris Hanna, Address in Reply speech

I introduced legislation in Parliament last week that will tighten laws for doctors issuing death certificates. This follows the tragic story of a lady who died in the Brighton Aged Care Nursing Home in July last year. The doctors who signed her death certificate owned the nursing home and are married to each other, which raised a number of concerns. My Bill will prevent doctors with a financial interest in medical or health care facilities from signing death certificates for people who die in such a facility. This would include hospitals, nursing homes and aged care services. 

As summer approaches there will be increasing focus on water conservation. To help I will be hosting a ‘Living with Water Restrictions’ forum at the Reynella Neighbourhood Centre on 6^th December.  A number of notable speakers will provide tips on helping gardens survive this time of the year.  More details to follow…

In response to the Planning Reform recently announced by the Minister for Urban Development and Planning, I have made a submission.  I supported initiatives that maintain open space, enhance water collection and reduce the impact of climate change.  My major objection relates to changes that will compromise local government oversight and community consultation. Due to the permanent nature of buildings and the impact on neighbours it is more important to get things right than get things done quickly.

Recently I spoke out over an incident at Westfield Marion where one of my constituents was humiliated while expressing milk for her baby daughter. Sharleen was in the parents’ room behind a thin curtain when the incident occurred. Someone looked behind the curtain and, offended, reported Sharleen to centre security!  The police were called and Sharleen was questioned briefly until it became obvious no crime was involved.  Sharleen was genuinely upset and humiliated by the incident. Fortunately, there has been overwhelming support for her. She received a complete apology.

Homelessness is reaching a critical level, particularly for those with mental health problems or those experiencing extreme poverty.  Currently it is a four month waiting period for emergency housing, which is directly affecting 261 homeless families state wide, including 500 children.  If you have a serious mental or physical disability there is still a waiting period of a year or two to get a Housing Trust place. I have consistently raised this issue publicly and will continue working to ensure that all available housing is occupied.

I am pleased to hear the Federal Government saying they will respond to the needs of pensioners. In August I wrote to Jenny Macklin, Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services & Indigenous Affairs, raising concerns over the increased demand on emergency services in the Mitchell electorate from growing poverty.  With the cost of living rapidly rising, I fully support the push for an increase to the pension. This is an issue that must be dealt with long term. Since 2001 the number of persons aged 55 or over has jumped to 410,000, representing more than a quarter of the State’s population. 

A good crowd attended a meeting at O’Halloran Hill Anglican Church on Saturday19 July. I spoke about the history of Glenthorne, including efforts to keep the land free from urban development seven years ago. Peter Smythermann, Chairperson of Friends of Glenthorne, spoke about the need to retain open space.
Associate Professor David Paton from the University of Adelaide outlined the overall vision of restoring native vegetation to the Mount Lofty Ranges, including 100 hectares of Glenthorne, provided they get the money to do it.  He indicated that the total project requires $100 million.
From a survey I distributed, 80% of respondents opposed housing even if it meant jeopardising the project of revegetating Glenthorne proposed by the University.  
The Deed to which the University and the State Government are signatories prohibits urban development. It would require a political decision by the Labor leadership to change this provision.

 Click on image to enlarge map of Glenthorne Farm.